This is the face of Brian Whitelock, the man who beat and stabbed his neighbour Wendy Buckney to death in a brutal and “sadistic” attack in her own home. Whitelock was out of prison on licence following a previous conviction for murder and manslaughter when he set upon his 71-year-old vulnerable neighbour after consuming street Valium tablets and alcohol.
Miss Buckney had sought to help Whitelock after his release from prison by finding him odd jobs to do around her Clydach home in return for money or food. The motive for Whitelock’s murderous attack in August 2022 remains unknown but handing him a whole-life sentence, a judge at Swansea Crown Court said there had been a “sexual element ” to the offending. Whitelock’s sentence means the 57-year-old will never be eligible for parole and will spend the rest of his life behind bars. You can read our coverage of Whitelock’s trial and sentencing here.
Speaking after the sentencing South Wales Police detective dhief Inspector Matt Davies said: “We are pleased that Brian Whitelock has been given a full-life tariff, which is a fitting sentence due to the countless lives that have been destroyed because of his actions. Despite his past, Brian Whitelock received nothing but kindness from his neighbour Wendy Buckney. He repaid this kindness by carrying out her senseless murder.
READ MORE: Incident closes Cardiff M4 link road
READ MORE: Wales weather maps show where worst of storm will hit amid 15 hour Met Office warning
The level of violence Brian Whitelock enacted upon his defenceless victim was sickening. Defending himself in court, Brian Whitelock’s aim was to distance himself from his actions, but the reality is that he was well-aware what he was doing. Wendy Buckney’s family has been through an unimaginable amount of pain and heartbreak because of the actions of Brian Whitelock. I hope, because of today’s sentencing, that they can finally feel closure, and can begin grieving the loss of Wendy”.
This interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area: